Wrapped Container

ABSTRACT

A wrapped container of consumer goods, includes a container for housing consumer goods enclosed by a wrapper with a tear tape, a label positioned between the container and the wrapper, the label and the tear tape arranged such that actuation of the tear tape to open the wrapper causes the label to become severed, wherein at least a portion of the tear tape is at an angle with a longitudinal axis of the container and with a transverse axis of the container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2018/066386, filed Jun. 20, 2018, published in English, which claims priority to European Patent Application No. 17176979.7, filed Jun. 20, 2017, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wrapped container for consumer goods.

For reasons of hygiene, freshness and safety, many consumer products are provided in a package which is over wrapped with a sealed wrapper. Such a wrapper may be provided by cellophane, a metal foil or similar material. Many products which are provided within such a wrapper are required to have a label, such as a stamp or seal associated with them, which is torn when the products are accessed by a user such that there is an indication that the products have been accessed. The label may provide such an indication for health and safety reasons or to meet the requirements such as taxation and duty obligations that are required for products such as tobacco or alcohol.

In the past, attempts have been made to combine the need for a wrapper for wrapping a product package and the label such that removal of the product wrapper removes or breaks the label when it is removed from the package by a user. The benefit of such an arrangement is that a user removes the outer wrapper and breaks a label in a single action which is simple for the user to operate, and also ensures breaking of the label for accuracy of indication. However, such arrangements have problems in that they require any opening mechanism from the outer product wrapper and the label to be in quite particular locations with respect to one another to ensure both opening and tearing in that single action. This can constrain significantly the design freedom for the product package that is overwrapped by the wrapper as it can limit the relative position of any opening in the internal package and the opening mechanism for the product wrapper, as well as also constrain the location of other information that may be required on the package, such as safety or health information.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention therefore seeks to provide a product wrapper that enables provision of a label of the above type, ensures tearing of that label during removal of that product wrapper, yet which also enables a flexibility of removal of the outer product wrapper mechanism location when compared to the location of any opening mechanism on the package provided under the wrapper.

According to the present invention there is provided a wrapped container of consumer goods, comprising:

a container for housing consumer goods enclosed by a wrapper with a tear tape, a label positioned between the container and the wrapper,

the label and the tear tape arranged such that actuation of the tear tape to open the wrapper causes the label to become severed,

wherein at least a portion of the tear tape is at an angle with the longitudinal axis of the container and with a transverse axis of the container.

The angle is generally a non-zero angle.

With the present invention it is possible to provide a product wrapper that has an associated label and tear tape and in which there is a significant amount of design freedom in terms of the location of the label on the wrapper yet in which it is still possible for the wrapper to be removed easily to access the package being covered by the wrapper in use. Furthermore, with the arrangement of the present invention there is a configuration in which there is certainty in relation to the breaking of the label when the wrapper is removed.

Preferably, the tear tape comprises actuating means, such as a pull tab, for a user to actuate the tear tape to initiate opening of the wrapper. Preferably, the actuating means are provided on the wrapper and proximate an end of the tear tape.

It is envisaged that the angle between the tear tape and either the longitudinal or transverse axis of the container may be between 1° and 80°, preferably the angle is between 5° and 75°, and more preferably between 35° and 55°.

In some examples, the tear tape may comprise at least two bands provided on a surface of the product wrapper, the two bands intersecting each other to form at least two intersecting branches, an end of a first band being located within a tab provided in the product wrapper, wherein the intersection between the branches is located between the distal ends of the first band and wherein the label overlies at least a portion of either the first or the second band. A tear tape for a product wrapper comprising at least two intersecting branches is described in EP 2 861 507.

With the provision of two bands that intersect one another it is possible to provide an opening mechanism for the wrapper that is simple for a user to operate and which ensures both easy removal of the wrapper and simple breakage of the label. Such an arrangement also provides further design freedom in relation to the positioning of the label on the container.

Preferably, the first and second bands are arranged such that, in use, only one band extends over a corner or folded edge of the container, and opening of the product wrapper follows a first opening stage along a first branch from a first end thereof, followed by a second stage along the two intersecting branches from said intersection until at least one of a second end of the first branch and an end of the second branch. Preferably, the label becomes severed during the second opening stage.

With this configuration a very simple opening mechanism is provided, which does not require a large amount of tape, but which still ensures breakage of the label and ease of removal of the wrapper.

In some examples, the at least two intersecting branches are made of at least two separate adhesive bands.

Preferably, the angle a between the at least two intersecting branches is between 1° and 80°, preferably between 5° and 75°, and more preferably between 35° and 55°.

Preferably, the at least two branches intersect to provide a Y-shaped junction located between said distal ends of the first of the two intersecting branches.

Preferably, at least one of the two branches is linear or comprises at least one linear segment starting from an end of the tear tape.

In some examples, one of the two branches may be substantially parallel to either the longitudinal or transverse axis of the container. Preferably, the first branch is substantially parallel to the transverse axis of the container, and the second branch forms an acute angle with the first branch.

Preferably the label is located between two distal ends of the tear tape. In examples where the tear tape comprises two intersecting bands, the label is preferably located between two distal ends of one of the bands. In such examples, it is further preferred that the label is located between the intersection between both bands and the distal end of one of the bands.

Preferably, the container is a pack for smoking articles, such as a cigarette pack. For example, the container may be a so-called hinged lid pack for smoking articles, which comprises a box with an open top end closed by a lid hinged to the box. The lid is rotatable about a hinge line to cover and uncover the open top end of the box, thus denying or allowing access to the contents of the container. The container is said to be in a closed position when the lid covers the open top end of the box. Similarly, the container is said to be in an open position when the lid uncovers the open top end of the box.

Where the container is a hinged lid pack for smoking articles, the box preferably comprises front, rear, side and bottom walls, but no top wall, and the lid preferably comprises front, side, top walls, but no bottom wall. Preferably, the box front wall is shorter than the box rear wall in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the container and the box side walls have slanted top edges. The lid may further comprise a rear wall, in which case the lid rear wall is shorter than the lid front wall in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the container and the lid side walls have slanted bottom edges. Preferably, the lid is hingedly connected to the top edge of the box rear wall at either the bottom edge of the lid rear wall or the rear edge of the lid top wall.

In examples in which the container is a hinged lid pack for smoking articles, it is preferred that an end of the tear tape is provided near or proximate a longitudinal edge connecting the box front wall to one of the box side walls. This eases grasping of the end of the tear tape to initiate opening of the wrapper. It is also preferred that the end of the tear tape is positioned near or proximate the upper front edge of the box front wall.

In examples in which the container is a hinged lid pack for smoking articles and the tear tape comprises two intersecting bands, the first end of the first band is preferably located near or proximate a longitudinal edge connecting the box front wall to one of the box side walls. Preferably, the intersection between both bands is located at a main face or wall of the container, i.e., at the front or rear wall of the container. This gives additional options to select the angle between both bands whilst ensuring that the label becomes severed during opening of the wrapper.

In such examples, the first band is preferably substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container and is positioned near or proximate the upper front edge of the box front wall. Particularly, the first band may be positioned anywhere between 3 mm above the upper front edge of the box front wall and 15 mm below the upper front edge of the box front wall. This eases removal of the portion of the wrapper that wraps the lid.

Preferably, the label is positioned at a height, measured from a bottom edge of the container along its longitudinal axis, of less than 50% of the total height of the container. The total height of the container is the distance between the bottom and top edges of the container measured along the longitudinal axis of the container. Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous for hinged lid packs for smoking articles as it avoids interference with the lid opening movement.

Preferably, the label and the intersection between the first and second bands are positioned at the same wall of the container. By locating the label and the intersection between the bands at the same wall of the container, severing of the wrapper is eased as tearing along the edge once the tear tape is split into two bands is prevented.

The label is preferably rectangular. Rectangular labels are preferably positioned such that the shortest side of the rectangular label is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container. By arranging rectangular labels in such fashion, actuation of the tear tape needs to sever less material of the label, resulting in a greater degree of design freedom.

As used herein, the term “near” when used to express a relative position of two elements shall be interpreted to mean less than about 10 mm.

As used herein, the terms “front”, “back”, “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom” and “side” refer to the relative positions of portions of containers according to the invention and components thereof when the container is in an upright position. Where the container is a hinged lid pack for smoking articles, the terms “front”, “back”, “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom” and “side” refer to the relative positions of portions of hinged lid packs for smoking articles when the pack is in an upright position with the lid of the outer housing in the closed position and the hinge line at the back of the pack.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a method of manufacturing a wrapped container of consumer goods as described above, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   providing a container of consumer goods;     -   providing a sheet of wrapping material;     -   applying a label to one of the sheet of wrapping material and         the container;     -   applying a tear tape to the sheet of wrapping material;     -   applying the wrapping material comprising the tear tape to the         container such that at least a portion of the tear tape is at an         angle with the longitudinal axis of the container and with a         transverse axis of the container, and such that actuation of the         tear tape to open the wrapper causes the label to become         severed; and     -   sealing the container with the wrapping material.

Thus, it is envisaged that in use, the tear tape is pulled through the label thereby severing the label that is sandwiched between it and the wrapping material.

Preferably, the method further includes the step of applying a layer of adhesive to the tear tape or label, such that a portion of the tear tape is adhered to the label and/or the wrapping material.

In some examples, the method further includes the step of applying a layer of adhesive on a portion of the sheet of wrapping material or a portion of the label, such that the label is adhered to the wrapper.

Preferably, the method of manufacturing further includes the step of applying a layer of adhesive to the label or a portion thereof or to the container, such that the label or a portion thereof is adhered to the container. This may be in addition to another part of the label being adhered to the wrapper. It is envisaged that in use, opening of the wrapper will sever the label and therefore it is intended that only part of the label may be adhered to the container. The portion that is not adhered to the container would advantageously be removed with the product wrapper, thus the label would be ripped or otherwise broken upon opening of the wrapper. The label may contain a weakened region, for example a scored or perforated region, to ease detachment.

In certain examples, the method further includes the step of applying a layer of adhesive to the tear tape or label, such that a portion of the tear tape is adhered to the label and/or the wrapping material. Preferably, the tear tape is adhered to a portion of the label that is not adhered to the container.

It is envisaged that the adhesive will ensure that the label and/or tear tape remain in position such that in use, severing of the label upon activation of the tear tape is guaranteed.

According to the present invention, there is also provided an apparatus for performing the method as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a container wrapped in a product wrapper according to the present invention in a closed position showing the tear tape and label;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a container wrapped in a product wrapper according to the present invention being opened by pulling the tear tape;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are plan views of product wrappers according to the present invention comprising tear tape and label according to different examples of the present invention;

FIG. 4A and 4B show two sectional views of containers according to the invention;

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary apparatus for performing a method to make a product wrapper according to the invention and subsequently apply the product wrapper to a container;

FIGS. 6A to 6C show the steps of a possible manufacturing method according to the invention; and

FIGS. 7A and 7B are front and rear perspective views of a further example of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 3A, a tear tape 1 is provided on a product wrapper 6. The tear tape 1 comprises an adhesive band 2 which, in use, is adhered to the surface 7 of the product wrapper 6. The adhesive band 2 is configured to comprise first and second branches 3, 4 which meet at an intersection 8 on the tear tape 1. Band 2 can be formed as a unitary adhesive component with the separate branches 3, 4 prior to application onto the surface 7 of the wrapper 6. It can also be formed from two or more separate adhesive bands 2, 5 forming the separate branches 3, 4. Label 10 is shown in this example at the base of branch 4 adhered to the product wrapper but could be placed at any point and either underlies or overlies a portion of the tear tape 1, such that in use the label 10 is severed by action of the tear tape 1. The label 10 may also, or alternatively, be adhered to the container. In this example the angle α between the two branches 3, 4 is approximately 45° but it can be anywhere between 1° and 80°, or preferably between 5° and 75°, and even more preferably between 35° and 55°. Preferably, the angle α between each branches 3, 4 of the adhesive band 2 can be chosen and adjusted in the previously defined range depending on the shape and/or size of the product to be wrapped in wrapper 6 to ensure efficient and complete tearing of the wrapper 6 and severing of label 10 in a single opening action by an end user.

FIG. 3B shows an alternative example with a single tear tape 1 provided on a product wrapper 6. Tear tape 1 is formed of a single band at an angle of approximately 45° to the longitudinal or transverse axis of the product container. Label 10 is shown in this example at a mid-point along tear tape 1 adhered to the product wrapper (and/or container) but could be placed at any point overlying a portion of the tear tape 1, such that in use the label 10 is severed by action of the tear tape 1.

Referring to FIG. 4A, a first example container 11 is shown in partial sectional view with the wrapper 6 also shown, together with a dual-band tear tape 1 and label 10. As can be seen from this view, in this particular construction the label 10 is adhered to the surface of the container 11 but not the wrapper 6. However, the label 10 is adhered to band 5 via glue component 12 such that when the tear tape 1 is removed during an opening action the label 10 is severed.

FIG. 4B shows an alternative example of container 11 according to the invention, again with the wrapper 6, label 10 and dual-band tear tape 1 shown in sectional view. Here the label 10 is adhered to the wrapper 6 and band 5 then overlies the wrapper 6, with the wrapper placed around the container 11.

Similar to the example described in FIG. 4A, the label 10 may be adhered to band 5 such that the tear tape 1 is connected to the label 10. This can be achieved for example by the application of an adhesive, particularly a heat-activatable adhesive, onto one or both of the tear tape 1 and the label 10. Alternatively, the tear tape 1 can be fused to the label 10.

Removal of the tear tape 1 removes the wrapper 6 and pulls band 5, removing and severing the label 10. In some examples, the label 10 is adhered to both the container and the wrapper 6. For example, the label 10 may be partially adhered to the surface of the container 11 to ensure it severs as the band 5 passes therethrough as it is removed.

The label 10 may comprise a weakening to ease the severing action of the tear tape 1. Preferably, the weakening is formed by perforating or scoring the label 10.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary apparatus for performing a method to make a product wrapper and container according to the present invention and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4B. The apparatus provides two separate adhesive bands 2, 5 forming branches 3, 4 of the tear tape 1.

Referring to FIG. 5, a bobbin 33 provides a sheet of film 6 comprising multiple labels 10, the film 6 is passed over a number of rollers and ultimately cut by a film cutting rotary knife 35 and wrapped using a wrapping wheel over containers 11 to form over wrapped containers 11 and 6 on a conveyor 37. As the film 6 is passed over the rollers a spool of tear tape 31 is provided via a rolling cutting knife component 32 onto the surface of the film 6. The spool 31 and knife component 32 are inclined at an angle to the direction of movement of the film 6 such that individual cut tear tape components 5 are applied at an angle to the direction of movement of the film 6 that is selected at a desired angle in the range described above with reference to the end wrapping product. The spool 31 and knife component 32 are also arranged and appropriately controlled such that each tear tape component 5 overlies a label 10. The individual band 5 may be adhered to the surface of the film 6 and label 10 by traditional adhesive or other forms as will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art.

The combination of the band 5, label 10 and film 6 is then passed onward from where the bands 5 and label 10 are applied to the film 6 at location A to a location B where a bobbin 34 of band 2 is also applied to the film 6 at a location at which it forms an intersection with a respective band 5. Again, the band 2 may be applied on the surface 7 using adhesive or other known techniques. Following application of the band 1 to the surface of the film 6, the film 6 is passed through a cutting knife 35 and individual sections of film, together with the adhered bands 2, 5 forming a tear tape 1 and label 10 arrangement according to the present invention, are wrapped using the wrapping wheel 36 over individual containers 11. The label 10 may be fully or partially coated with adhesive prior to wrapping such that the label 10 is partly or fully adhered to the container 11 as well as the wrapper 6.

Inclined band 5 is provided by cut strips from spool 31 of adhesive band material. The cut strips are positioned at regular intervals according to the label 10 positions on the film 6 and maintained with a vacuum belt on the product wrapper film 6 which is unwound in a continuous manner in a product packaging line. The spool 31 from which the inclined bands 5 are made is orientated at an angle to the unwinding direction of the wrapper film 6 corresponding to the desired angle between the two branches 3, 4 of the tear tape 1. Once attached to the film 6 and label 10, the cut strips forming bands 5 join the main horizontal adhesive band 2 of the tear tape 1 dispensed from a bobbin 34 during the unwinding process. Thereby, a product wrapper film 6 with inclined and horizontal adhesive bands 2, 5 forming a unitary tear tape 1 overlying a label 10 is produced and can be wrapped inline around containers 11 to be wrapped.

FIGS. 6A to 6C show an alternative manufacturing process for producing a container in accordance with the invention and generally as described in relation to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4A.

Here in a first step shown in FIG. 6A, wrapper 6 has inclined band 5 applied thereto and dots of glue 13 are applied to the band 5. Band 2 is then adhered to the wrapper 6 in the second step to form tear tape 1 as shown in FIG. 6B. In a third step shown in FIG. 6C, label 10 is adhered via dots of glue 14 onto container 11. The wrapper 6 is then wrapped around the container 11 with the inclined band 5 aligned over the label 10. As part of the wrapping process the wrapper 6 is heat-shrunk about the container 11, activating the dots of glue 13 to adhere the band 5 to the label 10.

Once the wrapper is wrapped around the container 11, the inclined band 5 is adhered to the label 10 at a contact area 15 between two parallel rows of perforations 16. The tear tape 1 is, therefore, connected to the label 10 at the contact area 15, which is not adhered to the container 11. As a result, actuation of the tear tape 1 severs the label 10 along the perforation lines 16 and removes the portion of the label 10 between the perforation lines 16 (contact area 15). Preferably, the contact area 15 of the label 10 lies between the two ends of the inclined band 5 to ensure full removal of the contact area 15.

In the example described above, the connection between the tear tape 1 and the label 10 is achieved by the application of glue dots 13 to the inclined band 5. In other examples, the tear tape 1 is connected to the label 10 at the contact area 15 by the application of any suitable adhesive, preferably a heat-activatable adhesive, onto one or both of the tear tape 1 and the label 10. Alternatively, the tear tape 1 can be fused to the label 10 at the contact area 15.

Alternative apparatus arrangements for producing a product wrapper of the present invention with a single tear tape would be appreciated by a skilled person in the art.

In use the product wrapper 6 is provided as an overwrap over container 11 such as a cigarette pack as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A tab 9 is provided on the product wrapper 6 such that an end portion of the band 2 is within the tab 9, thereby forming the starting or grasping end of the tear tape 1. In use, a user can grasp the tab 9 to remove the tear tape 1 from the wrapper 6 and thereby sever the label 10, disposed anywhere along the length of the tear tape 1. Pulling on the tab 9 initiates a first stage of the opening of the wrapper 6, wherein the band 2 breaks the wrapper 6, along a first linear direction, in a clean linear cut at a first angle relative to the container 11 until the intersection 8 of the branches 3, 4 is reached, the intersection 8 being located over a main face of the container 11. At this point, a second stage of the opening is engaged whereby further pulling on the tear tape 1 breaks the wrapper 6 in two directions, along bands 2, 5, removing a portion of the wrapper 6 with it, as shown in FIG. 2, and severing the label 10 located at the end of band 5 in this example. This allows a user to remove the wrapper 6 and sever the label 10 with a single action. This also allows the user to gain access to the inner container 11 more easily in a single motion, two-stage opening action. This also allows the label 10 to be placed anywhere on the product wrapper 6 and/or the container 11, providing it is over or under a part of the tear tape 1, thereby allowing much increased design freedom over containers in the art.

It should be appreciated that the location of the intersection 8 between the distal ends of the main band 2 of the tear tape 1 in this example is preferably located at a distance from the distal ends of the main band 2. For example, the intersection 8 may be located mid-way along the component of main band 2 that extends over a main face of the container 11. A particular advantage of this arrangement is that it ensures that, when the wrapper 6 is placed over container 11, the ends of the band 2, forming the first branch 3 of the tear tape 1, are located adjacent to a first face of the container 11, preferably a side face of a cigarette container 11 as shown in the figures. Meanwhile, the intersection 8 overlies a main face 7 of said container 11 which is adjacent to the first face. This configuration ensures proper initiation of the wrapper opening process during the first stage and complete removal of said wrapper 6 starting from the intersection 8 during the second stage of the opening.

In addition, it is important that only one band 2 of the tear tape 1 extends over a corner or folded edge of the container 11 in order to avoid wrinkling of the wrapper 6 at the corners or folded edges when the wrapper 6 is heat-shrunk in a usual manner.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate front and rear views of an example container 11 with an example wrapper 6 provided as an overwrap.

In this example, the container 11 is a hinged lid pack that comprises a lid part which is hingeably connected to an upper portion of a rear wall of the container 11. The lid part may move relative to the box by rotating about a hinging mechanism on the hingeable connection, between a first position in which the container is closed and the contents of the container are covered, and a second position in which the lid part swings open to reveal an opening at the top of the container such that a user may access the contents of the container. In the closed position, an upper edge of a front wall of the container 11 and a lower edge of a front wall of the lid part meet at a closure line.

A tab 9 is provided on the product wrapper 6 such that a first end portion of the first band 2 is within the tab 9, thereby forming a starting or grasping end of the tear tape 1. The tab 9 is positioned near the closure line and near a first side edge of the front wall of the container 11. In this example, a portion of the tab 9 extends past the first side edge of the front wall such that a portion of the tab 9 protrudes from the container 11 and wrapper 6. This eases grasping of the tab 9.

In contrast with the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the wrapper 6 in this example is arranged around the container 11 such that the intersection 8 and label 10 are positioned at a wall of the container 11 different to the wall where the pull tab 9 is located. Namely, intersection 8 and label 10 are positioned at a rear wall of the container 11, while the pull tab 9 is positioned at a side wall of the container 11.

The first band 2 is located proximate the upper front edge of the front wall of the box of container 11 (i.e., the closure line along the front wall of the container 11) and is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container 11. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the first band 2 surrounds the container 11 at or below the closure line.

In this example the label 10 is rectangular and is positioned near the bottom part of the container 11 such that its shortest side is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container 11. As label 10 is below the closure line of the container 11, any remaining material of the label 10 that is not removed after opening will not hinder lid movement.

As the label 10 is located near the bottom part of the container 11, unnoticeable tampering with the label 10 is yet more difficult. The latter is further enhanced when the label 10 is positioned at a height, measured from a bottom edge of the container 11, of less than 50% of the total height of the container 11. In this particular example, the label 10 is positioned at a height of less than 25% of the total height of the container 11.

To ensure that the label 10 becomes severed upon actuation of the tear tape 1, the label 10 is positioned between the two distal ends of the second band 5.

In use, a user can grasp the tab 9 to remove the tear tape 1 from the wrapper 6. In a first stage of the opening of the wrapper 6, the band 2 breaks the wrapper 6 along a first linear direction, in a clear linear cut substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container 11, and a portion of the wrapper 6 at the side wall of the container 11 is broken. As the user continues to pull on the tab 9, the band 2 guides the breaking action around to the rear wall of the container 11 until the intersection 8 of the branches 3, 4 is reached. At this point, a second stage of the opening is engaged whereby further pulling on the tear tape 1 breaks the wrapper 6 in two directions, along branches 3, 4 of bands 2, 5, respectively, thus removing a portion of the wrapper 6 with it, and severing the label 10 located at the end of the band 5.

This allows the user to pull on a tab 9 located at a front wall of the container 11, proximate the closure line of the lid part, and sever a label 10 located at a rear wall of the container 11, below the hingeable connection of the lid part. This also allows the label 10 to be positioned at a wall of the container that is different to the wall at which the pull tab 9 is located. In particular, the wrapper 6 allows a label 10 to be placed at a rear wall of the container 11, away from the front of the container 11 from which the lid part is opened, while maintaining an ergonomic pull tab 9.

As will be appreciated from the above, the present invention provides a wrapper for a product which is simple and cost effective to manufacture, yet which is also beneficial to an end consumer in terms of improved removal of the wrapper and access to the contents of internal container. The present invention is also beneficial to the manufacturer enabling increased design freedom in displaying graphics on the container alongside the requirement to include a label (e.g. duty stamp) that is severed when the packing is opened by an end user. 

1. A wrapped container of consumer goods, comprising: a container for housing consumer goods enclosed by a wrapper with a tear tape, a label positioned between the container and the wrapper at a side or rear wall of the container, the label and the tear tape arranged such that actuation of the tear tape to open the wrapper causes the label to become severed, wherein at least a portion of the tear tape is at an angle with a longitudinal axis of the container and with a transverse axis of the container.
 2. The wrapped container according to claim 1, wherein the label is located between distal ends of the tear tape.
 3. The wrapped container according to claim 1, wherein the label is substantially rectangular and is positioned such that a shortest side of the rectangular label is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container.
 4. The wrapped container according to claim 1, wherein the label is positioned at a height of less than 50% of a total height of the container, the height measured from a bottom edge of the container along the longitudinal axis of the container.
 5. The wrapped container according to claim 1, wherein the label comprises a weakening arranged such that actuation of the tear tape to open the wrapper causes the label to become severed at least at the weakening.
 6. The wrapped container according to claim 1, wherein the tear tape comprises first and second bands that intersect each other at an intersection to form first and second intersecting branches.
 7. The wrapped container according to claim 6, wherein the first and second bands are arranged such that opening of the wrapper follows a first opening stage along the first branch from a first end thereof, followed by a second stage along the first and second intersecting branches from said intersection until at least one of a second end of the first branch and an end of the second branch.
 8. The wrapped container according to claim 7, wherein the at least a portion of the tear tape is one of the first and second bands.
 9. The wrapped container according to claim 6, wherein one of the first and second bands is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container.
 10. The wrapped container according to claim 6, wherein the label is located between the intersection of the first and second bands and a distal end of one of the first and second bands.
 11. The wrapped container according to claim 6, wherein the container comprises a plurality of walls, wherein the intersection between the first and second bands and the label are provided at the same wall of the container.
 12. The wrapped container according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises a box with an open top end closed by a lid hinged to the box along a hinge line, and wherein an end of the tear tape is provided near a longitudinal edge connecting a box front wall to a box side wall.
 13. A method of manufacturing a wrapped container of consumer goods, the method comprising the steps of: providing a container of consumer goods; providing a sheet of wrapping material; applying a label to one of the sheet of wrapping material and the container; applying a tear tape to the sheet of wrapping material; applying the wrapping material comprising the tear tape to the container such that at least a portion of the tear tape is at an angle with a longitudinal axis of the container and with a transverse axis of the container, and such that the label is adhered to both the container and the tear tape of the wrapping material, such that actuation of the tear tape to open the wrapper causes the label to become severed; and sealing the container with the wrapping material.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the tear tape is affixed to the label by the application of a heat-activatable adhesive to one or both of the tear tape and the label.
 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of providing a weakening in the label. 